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Hailing originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Barbara Klar opened her first store, Clear Metals, in NYC's East Village during the mid - 80's. In 1991 she moved that store into the Soho section of NYC where it was for ten years until June of 2001. Since that time, Barbara has moved her studio to Accord, New York, where she is currently expanding her website, her wholesale line and her special order commission work.

C lear Metals is a showcase to Barbara Klar's fascinating collection, a unique presentation of one-of-a kind and limited edition gold and silver jewelry which is completely designed and crafted by her in her Brooklyn studios. Originally a trained metalsmith, she was listed in NY Magazine as being one of the few jewelry designers who "will lend her eclectic touch to create just about anything her clients request, from unique wedding bands and pearl-drop earrings to chunky ID bracelets and mediaeval - style chains".

B arbara's work has been recognized on the editorial pages of Vogue, WWD, the New York Times and In-Style Magazine as well as featured on television shows such as "Friends", "Veronica's Closet" and "Judging Amy". Film credits have included " Meet The Parents", "Wall Street", "High Art". and the Eurythmic's "Missionary Man" video.

Symbolic, personal and timeless, Barbara Klar creates jewelry that becomes today's modern heirlooms. She combines elements of Celtic, Egyptian, and American Indian cultures with the symbology of contemporary Street Graffiti. Her cutting - edge designs often challenge the limitations of fine jewelry through her use of precious materials that are worked and designed into pieces that reveal a modern sensibility with a keen historical edge.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Often, when someone is trying on several pieces of my jewelry, they will ask me , “Is it too much?” My standard answer has always been, “More is More”! That’s an individual decision. I’m the one who loves most things to excess so I find this to be a debate not worth entering. Personally, I love as much of everything that I can handle.

However, lately I’ve had an even more difficult time holding myself back. Like when a friend of mine, Dana, proposed to me his recent project. Dana is a wonderfully talented and charismatic man, an interior designer with a great eye (www.http://dananicholsonstudio.com) who, through the years, has presented me with the most wonderful design challenges. The last one, however, took over two years from design to completion and along with his talent, Dana possesses the patience of a saint.

Here is pictured the original inspiration: A Christian Dior Lip-Gloss Ring. It is magical and functional: Who in their right mind would want to be out on the town without easy access to their Lip Gloss? “Can you make me something like this?” he asked shyly. “But it’s so big. Fabulous and wonderful, but gigantically BIG”, I said. Dana laughed in that charming way of his and said, “I know. And I also know you love making big things!”

Drawings came next and Dana chose one. I pondered the engineering of such a piece and wondered exactly what its purpose was to be, what would it contain? Not lip gloss, to be sure, but what was the history of such a ring? “An atmosphere of magic and charm has always surrounded rings. There has been a strong belief that both good and bad spirits inhabited rings. One of the many charges levied against Joan d’Arc was that she owned rings of magic.Rings were not always used for good. Hannibal and Demostenes both wore poison rings. Although uncommon, these rings were not rare. Not only could they be used on "friends," but on oneself if the circumstances warranted. “

The technical engineering of Dana’s ring was long and arduous. The hinges had to be functional, but not overpowering. The clasp tight enough to hold any contents, poisonous or otherwise. And it must be beautiful and wearable. Yet, when it was not being worn, it seemed to me to be shameful to keep it tucked away in a jewelry box. That is when the stand, hand-turned in wood by my dear cousin Herb, came to be. I created the silver feet for the “ring stand” initially in wax on my lathe and had them cast. I signed the piece with a hand-stamped silver tag on the bottom. As I normally do when I get a commission, I make more than one which takes into account the “just in case” theory. Especially on pieces I’ve never made before, just in case one doesn’t work out. There are two of these rings and stands. They are signed “1 of 2” and “2 of 2”. Just in case.

Dana’s ring is made of sterling silver with 14k yellow gold accents. The stones are white diamonds, black diamonds and rubies. I love the fact that it is not only functional, but an objet d’art when it is not being worn. I hope he feels it was worth the wait, two years later.Okay, what else can I work on for a couple of years? You’ll see…